As a new semester begins, K-State Housing & Dining Services is recruiting students to work in the dining centers.

Did you know?
• Students don’t have to work a tremendous number of hours. New freshmen will not be scheduled more than 12 hours a week. Many students choose to work only 6 hours per week then pick up substitute shifts when they want to.

• Working in the dining center provides an extension of K-State’s educational environment. Only a few hours of work a week provides social opportunities that often last a lifetime. Students learn many valuable work skills, including communication, decision making, judgement, leadership, teamwork, and dedication. These skills are central to success in the careers students are aspiring to have. In fact, many of these valuable work skills are communicated in resumes and interviews that freshmen will need all too soon. Students begin at $8.00/ hour, but more important than the wage is the educational benefit work provides.

• We believe students’ academic success is the top goal and we assign work schedules to support this belief. Student schedules are made around class schedules and never would we expect a student to skip class because of a job. Nor do we expect that they be here during breaks such as Thanksgiving, semester, and spring.

• Research has shown that students do better academically when they have to balance schedules and be organized. Based on the research results, it is likely that working a few hours a week can create an environment that improves study skills, time management, and thus academic success. Of course, the research is not suggesting cause and effect but there is a correlation between academic success and managing time effectively.

The floors have been waxed and buffed, there’s new paint on the walls, desks, chairs, and a magazine rack have all been selected from the university surplus website. A student is working away on a website and a social media strategy is being developed. New K-State Food Pantry Coordinator, Erin Bishop, has finished all these tasks, along with a list of other items, all within her first two weeks on the job.

Erin earned two degrees from K-State, and considers herself a lifelong Wildcat. She proudly shares that her grandmother lived in Van Zile Hall during WWII. Since graduating with her master’s degree in 2008, Erin has worked in mental wellness, substance abuse counseling, and academic advising. In addition, she found that her work with K-State Research and Extension and UFM Community Learning Center fueled her passion for volunteer service, community gardens, and ensuring student success by breaking down barriers that impede their learning and success.

The Kansas State University All-University Career Fair is next month! This opportunity, open to students of all majors and disciplines, is a great way to connect with hundreds of employers looking to hire K-Staters!

The Career Fair is hosted from September 19-September 21 and students will have the chance to be recruited for full time jobs, internships, and co-op positions.

Students will need to join Handshake, the Career Center’s recruiting and career services platform for K-State students, alumni and employers. Students and alumni can use Handshake to easily connect with employers, search for jobs and internships, review career fair/event information, and manage on-campus interviewing.

Sarah Barrett literally followed her dreams and came to Kansas State University.

“I had a dream three weeks before (high school) graduation and I decided to switch … to K-State,” she said. “I went to my guidance counselor the next day and she told me I missed basically all the deadlines, but everyone worked with me and I came to school.”

That was back in 2004.

She now works at the university as a Cleary Act federal compliance coordinator, making sure the university reports crimes properly, helps with federal aid, grants and “continues the mission of serving students,” she said.

However, she also recently turned her personal struggles into her passion and second aspect of her job.

Your students will have experiences outside of the classroom while attending Kansas State University and we want them to be meaningful. K-State 360 is a way to make those experiences count for something.

Students can track areas in which they are developing skills in teamwork, diversity, leadership, problem solving, communication, and career development. K-State 360 is designed to give students a competitive edge for future success.

It’s simple: a student can easily sign up and check-in through their smart phone and record their attended events and activities on campus. Upon completion of the program they will receive a co-curricular transcript to share with future employers, graduate or professional schools and will receive K-State 360 alumni benefits. Continue reading “K-State 360 is Here!”→

This article was provided by Ashley Bailey and the K-State Career Center.

Kansas State University student employees, supervisors, family and friends gathered April 11 to recognize more than 40 K-Staters who were nominated for the Student Employee of the Year award.

Dominique Hoover was named student employee of the year by the K-State Career Center

Before announcing the 2017 winner, Pat Bosco, vice president for student life and dean of students, recognized the family of the late Kyle Pelton, the 2016 Student Employee of the Year. Pelton’s post-graduation employer, Textron Aviation, was also acknowledged and presented a $1,000 lead gift that will help fund a a permanent display for all past and future award winners. In addition to the gift, the award will now be known as the Kyle Pelton Student Employee of the Year award.

Shortly following the gift revealing, Dominique Hoover, student facility manager for K-State’s Recreational Services, was named the 2017 Kyle Pelton Student Employee of the Year. Hoover is a senior in mechanical engineering and from Hutchinson, Kansas.

In an effort to reduce waste during the move out process, we’d like to make you aware of several ways your student can easily recycle unwanted items and trash.

A dumpster labeled for recyclables (paper, plastics 1-7, aluminum and tin) will be placed next to the dumpster for landfill items. Glass will go into the current collection bins outside each hall and in current Jardine locations.

The lobbies in each residence hall will contain areas in which to place non-perishable food items, books, clothing, blankets and small household items.

Electronic waste, furniture and rugs that are in good condition can be deposited in designated outdoor locations near our facilities. We encourage students to shop around before they go!

Our resident assistants or front desk employees are available to answer any questions.

Summer is right around the corner! Some K-State students will head back to their beloved hometowns, some will head to places far away to participate in a study abroad program or internship, and some will stay nestled here in Manhattan, KS!

Living in Manhattan, or any college town over the summer, is a unique experience. Thousands of people head out of town for three months, clearing up most of the street parking spots and lines at the grocery stores.

However, to the ones that choose to stay here and take summer courses or work, it means a time to get to know the locals, adventure to new places around town, and meet others who chose the same summer plans.

Would you like to get your K-State student more engaged on campus? Why not encourage them to join Wildcats Forever, one of the best traditions and largest organizations on campus!

Wildcats Forever is the K-State Alumni Association’s organization for students. For only $20, students receive a membership T-shirt, a collectible glass and a membership card with discounts to their favorite places in town. Some of the discounts include Call Hall Dairy Bar, Acme Gift, Colbert Hills and much more. There also are opportunities throughout the year to participate in events, contests and giveaways. Anything goes — we give away items such as snacks during finals week, pizza, K-State apparel and scholarships.

And don’t worry — your student won’t need to attend any meetings or take on other responsibilities when they become a member of Wildcats Forever. We just want them to enjoy the awesome benefits and strengthen their connection to K-State!

“Wildcats Forever is a fun and easy way for current undergraduate and graduate students to start getting involved with the Alumni Association and learn about all the services we can offer them — both during their time as students and after they graduate,” said Marcus Kidd ’14, ’16, assistant director of student programs.

To join Wildcats Forever, your student can stop by the Wildcats Forever booth in the K-State Student Union during orientation and enrollment this summer, or they can sign up anytime online through their KSIS account. You can also gift a membership to your student.

Budget Update

The federal budget is in a period of uncertainty. We know many K-Staters are concerned about the White House 2018 budget blueprint and that national organizations and professional societies are urging many of you to make your voices heard on a number of issues. The full President’s Budget will be released the second week in May.

The continuing resolution for the 2017 budget expires on April 28, and we are without a clear path at this time.

We share your apprehensions and want you to know that the Office of Governmental Relations and the Office of the Vice President for Research are watching closely. The federal budget development process is long, and the 2018 budget remains far from final.